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Jeff Gordon relishes family life, career resurgence

Jeff Gordon poses for a family photo with his wife Ingrid Vandebosch, their son Leo Benjamin and daughter Ella Sofia after winning the Crown Royal Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.(Photo: Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports)

Those are the type of pledges Gordon can make — and back up — this season, in which he's returned to the form that made him a four-time Cup champion.

Along the way — including stops in victory lanes at places like Kansas Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Gordon has been able to share the experience with his family.

"That's why this year has just been phenomenal," he said. "This has been one of the best years I've ever had because of how good things are at home and how good things are at the racetrack. Life is good. I'm enjoying the heck out of it."

Watkins Glen is the perfect example of Gordon's career resurgence. He's won at the 2.45-mile track four times, but not since 2001.

If that sounds familiar, it's because it mirrors his championship record: Four titles, none since 2001.

"Watkins Glen has kind of been a target on our radar because we've run so poorly here recently," said Gordon, who has only two top-10 finishes in his last 12 starts at the Glen. "You start to lose confidence in what you're doing … and you get off track and lost a little bit."

But regularly running up front this year — Gordon is the series points leader — has given Gordon a spark some of his fans weren't sure they'd ever see again. After all, the 43-year-old might only drive for another couple seasons (he's battled back problems for years).

Every win — and pole — means more now. And his family has been there to enjoy his successes by his side.

"I don't know how many more years I have racing in this series, and certainly to be this late in my career and be this competitive, it's something I didn't know whether it would happen," he said. "But the timing couldn't be better, because (daughter) Ella appreciates and understands it at (age) 7. Leo is just starting to. And even Ingrid (Vandebosch, Gordon's wife) has never really experienced the type of success we're having this year, so it's pretty cool."

After his Brickyard 400 win, Leo initially had no interest in participating in the tradition of kissing the bricks that mark the start/finish line. But when the family returned for more pictures a couple hours later, he finally relented alongside Jeff and Ella.

Gordon picked up a laughing Leo and held him in the air — the picture of happiness. On Saturday, Gordon said he couldn't wait to get back to his phone after winning the pole, knowing it would be lit up with texts and phone calls from his family (who will return to the track on Sunday).

But there's a downside to being a racing parent at times, Gordon said.

"It works both ways," he said. "When your kids come to the racetrack and you don't perform very well, they say, 'What happened? How come you didn't win the race? Evie's dad (Jimmie Johnson) won the race.' You smile and laugh about it, but you can't help but take that personal.

"So on the flip side, when you're able to win the race and they get to see that excitement and be a part of it — that bond you have with your family and the ups and downs you go through — when you experience that moment, it's even better."

Gordon, second from right, poses with daughter Ella Sofia, crew chief Alan Gustafson and the rest of his crew after finishing second in qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500 on Feb 17. Kevin Liles, USA TODAY Sports

Gordon won two races in 2012, including the Sprint Cup season finale at Homestead on Nov 18. Gordon finished 10th in the Sprint Cup standings, his lowest finish since 2005. Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports

Gordon talks to his daughter Ella Sophia before an April 10, 2010 race at Phoenix. Gordon failed to win a race for the third time since his rookie year in 1993 and finished ninth in the standings. Tom Pennington, Getty Images for NASCAR

Gordon celebrates in victory lane with a pair of pistols after winning the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 5, 2009. It was Gordon's lone victory of the season. He finished third in the Sprint Cup standings. Tony Gutierrez, AP

Gordon, shown here with a blown tire at the race at Michigan on Aug. 17, 2008, failed to win a Cup race for the first time since his rookie year in 1993. Gordon finished seventh in the standings. Bob Brodbeck, AP

Gordon and girlfriend Ingrid Vandebosch arrive for the premiere of the Disney/Pixar animated film "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 26, 2006. The pair would get married in a private ceremony later in the year. Terry Renna, AP

Gordon, left, and a crew member spray each other with champagne in victory lane after Gordon won his fourth career Winston Cup Series championship on Nov. 18, 2001. Gordon won six races and had 18 top-5 finishes. Greg Suvino, AP

Gordon was a guest on the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Feb. 18, 1997, two days after becoming the youngest Daytona 500 winner in history at 25 years, 6 months. Gordon's record was broken by Trevor Bayne in 2011. Alan Singer, AP

Gordon celebrates after winning the Hanes 500 at Martinsville on Sept. 22, 1996. He finished the year second in the points standings. Gordon had 34 top-10 finishes and 21 top-fives in 31 races. Steve Helber, AP